Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege to produce several podcasts for clients. I’ve worked with software companies, financial advisors, and even young teenagers. You may think that a podcast with kids is a recipe for chaos, but you’d be surprised how serious they take the recording sessions and how professional of a product they can turn out.

In fact, of all the podcasts that I’ve produced. The podcast with kids has received the most downloads per episode. It just takes a little preperation on the front end.

What Equipment Do You Need?

First, I should note that any recording could feasibly be uploaded as a podcast. So, you could make a simple recording on your iPhone and call that a podcast. However, if you want people to listen, you need to be sure you have high-quality audio.

There are a lot of choices and it can be overwhelming. Below is a list of the equipment that I like to use, but it doesn’t mean there is not something better out there.

Microphones

There are dynamic microphones and there are condenser microphones. If I’m recording a podcast, I like to use dynamic mics. They help cut out the ambient noise. Most amateurs podcasters do not have soundproof studios. We have refrigerators and computer fans running in the background. A dynamic mic helps you reduce some of that ambient noise.

The Heil PR40 is my favorite podcasting microphone, but it’s also my most expensive. When you talk into this mic, your voice just sounds expensive.

Heil PR40

I should point out that this mic and the others I’m listing are dynamic mics. This means that they’re great at cutting out ambient noise, but you have to talk directly into them. This means you should be two or three fingers away. This is one of the biggest challenges when podcasting with kids. I find that I often have to stop the recording and remind them when we are first starting out.

Do you want to try podcasting but you aren’t sure you’re going to stick with it? You may want to try the Behringer Ultravoice? You won’t sound as great as the two choices above, but it is still a decent dynamic mic for only about $20.

Digital Recorder

This is the most important piece of equipment in your arsenal, so you don’t really want to cut corners here. A digital recorder is where all your recordings end up. I record a lot, so I use a 64GB SD Card with mine. But if you’re just starting out. A 16GB card is enough.

I absolutely love the Zoom H6. It’s a little big for a digital recorder, but it is versatile. You can pop different mics on the top if you need to record someone or something on the go. Or, you can run four different XLR or quarter inch cables into it.

Having four different inputs is a big deal. In fact, because of this, you could concievebly get away with not having a mixing board.

I’ve never actually used the TASCAM, but I know a lot of people love them. It’s a less expensive alternative than the Zoom H6, but it only has two XLR ports. However, if you’re using a mixing board, this really should not be an issue.

Mixing Board

A mixing board is crucial for a few reasons.

You plan on using several microphones during recording

You like mixing your music and sound effects in on the fly, rather than during post-production.

You need one if you plan to do remote interviews. A mixing board can allow you to set up a mix-minus and avoid annoying feedback for your guest. See video below.

You don’t have to get crazy with a mixing board. I use two different boards and I’ve never pushed either to it’s limit.

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